Paris: 9 things I wish I had known before my first trip
First time in Paris? Lucky you! Photo: Craig Nelson
Imagine if we could travel to the past and visit Paris for the first time again. The excitement, the newness, the culture shock — it’d be exhilarating!
If I could do it all again, however, there are a few things I wish I had known that could have made my first Paris experience a little richer.
So if you are going to Paris for the first time, heed my words. My mistakes are for your benefit. Along with these 50 do’s and don’ts and rookie mistakes, here are tips based on my experience to keep in mind when visiting Paris.
1. Parisians are people too
Parisians aren’t Martians: Parisians were always some sort of mythical people to me before coming to this city. They were classy, elegant, cultured — nothing like me.
Now I realize that, in fact, Parisians are just as clumsy, sloppy and ignorant as the rest of us. I am so much more comfortable now that I know.
2. The city is more than just the Eiffel Tower
The city extends beyond the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain: This one might just be me, but I had a very limited geographical view of Paris. Anything beyond the center was suburbs. Even as an exchange student, I remember finding the Canal Saint Martin once and feared I had left the city limits. If I knew how big the city was, I might have explored more. I’ve since made up for the lost time.
3. Walking tours offer orientation
I should have booked a walking tour. I don’t think I ever did a proper walking tour in Paris — funny now considering I give them. The orientation would have really helped me make sense of the city. Taking a tour would definitely be on my list of things to do if I were in Paris for the first time again.
4. Café culture needs to be experienced
Sitting in a café alone is no issue: As a newbie in Paris, I thought only cool people sat alone at cafés. I had no clue about Parisian café etiquette. You just don’t do it in the US. Dining alone? What’s wrong with you? I would have spent more time reading or just people watching, had I known. I wasted so much time looking for benches to sit on when I could have just bought a coffee for €2.
5. Learn at least a few French words
I should have paid attention in French class: I took about four years before visiting Paris for the first time, and I couldn’t understand a word. I know I was young and naive when I studied French, but if you’re a bit older and wiser, heed my warning. Pay attention and get a few bits of language down. It makes all the difference. Bonjour, merci, au revoir…
Related: 10 French phrases to help you save during your trip
6. Everything tastes better from local markets
The supermarket is not the only place to buy food. I distinctly remember buying butter and onions at the supermarket, and not much else. Had I known how fresh and affordable the veggies at the outdoor markets were, I would have eaten healthier.
To that end, I wish I knew that specialty shops are not all that more expensive. I was afraid of the cheese monger. The butcher was a no-go zone. The baker couldn’t understand me when I said, “baguette.” Life was tough for a student in Paris so many years ago. But now I know (and speak) better. Specialty shops are not much more expensive than grocery stores, and what’s more, the products are better. I’ll never buy cheese from Franprix again.
7. Good wine is really affordable
I also would have liked to know that €3 wine is not exceptional. It was a revelation. I wish I hadn’t spent so many years drinking really mediocre bottles of wine thinking I was getting a deal.
Related: 6 tips for buying wine in Paris
8. Know a bit of Parisian history
I wish I knew some history before arriving. I came to Paris knowing what I saw in the movies, which isn’t much. Why are all of these buildings important? Why did Paris become such a major capital? Who were the famous people living here? I knew nothing. I’ve since overcompensated, and my friends hate me for sharing stores about King Henri IV while walking down the street. But at least I can now put the city and its attractions into a context, which I find gratifying.
9. It can be hard to share stories back home
Other people won’t understand what it’s like here if they’ve never visited: I remember coming back from Paris and not being able to share my experience with anyone. It was even worse after studying abroad. I thought my friends and family would be enamored with my stories.
But no. No one really cared because no one around me had been to Europe. Travel is a very personal thing, and only others who traveled would understand that. I know that now. I wouldn’t have wasted so much time trying to tell people how cool Paris was, which ended up sounding like I was just trying to justify my own experiences. Silly Bryan.
Your advice for first-timers?
Is there anything you would have liked to know before coming to Paris? Share your stories in the comments below.
About the author
My granddaughter in Paris. She eas so diappointed. She said it stinks so bad and is dirty . What can she do?
Very nice article, it really helps us to explore more beauty of Paris. We were traveling in a group of 4 so we decided to travel by Vueling airlines. The airline is quite amazing, due to sudden change in plans we all decided to stay in the city for a bit more. There was a very convenient Vueling cancel flight online procedure.
Realy, Paris is one of the best places to visit.
Y our young kids will open doors to communication. Who can resist a kid? They are really very good scoping out the w.c., too. Waiters quite understand and share a knowing smile.
Great post! I’ve never been to Paris before, but it is definitely in my top 5 to go to soon. Prior to reading this, I really probably would have only stayed in the city center and my main thing would have been to see the Eiffel Tower. As for walking tours, I usually never book tours at all! I don’t like tours as I feel like it’s so constricted to an itinerary, but I’ll give it a shot if you recommend it.
Thanks for the tips!
Apart from a ‘walking tour’ I ALWAYS take my friends & guests on a boat trip, usually the one at Pont Neuf. You get your deal with F/E comments (very helpful) and don’t risk to be killed by a car/motorbike/taxi…. You see EVERYTHING from the Seine, it’s peaceful, quiet, gives you a break and you can take lovely pics in any weather. I live nr Paris since 2008 and this is one of the best things to do; especially the first time you’re here.
Then also take the time for some of the gardes; again, with or without a (possibly) market bought pic-nic, an hour spent at e.g. the Jardin du Luxembourg is such a great experience. You can give your museum-tired feet a rest, enjoy watching the world go by and if you’re lucky, you get a concert thrown in for free!
Regarding food and drink: We kinda like the Paris supermarkets. Maybe the food is better at the outdoor markets, but usually it’s easier to hit an indoor market as you drag yourself back to the hotel. Watch what the locals are buying. They know the bargains.
Of course visiting the cafe is also tres cool, but it’s cheaper at these little stores, and then you can feast back in your hotel room, which is very romantic–the view from the window behind your empty bottles of wine as the street lights come on, the night traffic begins to grow.
Oh, yeah, maybe there’s a little soup cafe where you can purchase a take-out. Amazing how good these soups along with a fresh loaf of ‘French bread’ can be. BTW: I fully agree with the author’s point about not sharing your experiences with someone who’s never been to Paris before. There are some experiences which really can’t be communicated.
Hello, Bryan,
Thank you for this and all the articles you write! They are helpful and inspiring as I continue to dream of going to France (many times) with my husband and fully enjoying each and every experience.
Great tips! Another thing I would tell people traveling to Paris (or France) for the first time. Don’t try to do everything in one visit. I’ve spoken to so many people who, within the course of about 4 or 5 days HAD to go to the Louvre, d’Orsay, Versailles, Catacombs, Invalides, Monmartre–Sacre Coeur, Canal St. Martin (to throw stones like Amelie), Notre Dame..you name the place, they had it on the itinerary! IMMHO, the best way to enjoy Paris is to savor her! Take your time–sometimes just doing NOTHING is doing everything! Take baby steps–visit the home of Eugene Delacroix–it’s off the beaten path and is a lovely, lovely way to spend a long hour. Instead of shopping on the Champs Elysees, take a walk down Rue Bonaparte and enjoy the quirky boutiques. Even with the most basic of the basic French language, visitors will do well. “Bonjour” and “Au revior”, as well as “jaimerais” and “merci” can get one very far and quite honestly, show respect to our French neighbors!
Well done! Your recommendations are spot on, and will definitely help people get more from their once-in-a-lifetime trip.